On July 5, 2014, around 150 students and their mothers had assembled at the Amrita Vidyalayam to take part in “Matru Puja”. Matru Puja is conducted in order to instil moral values in the minds of children and to foster love and respect towards the “Mother” who has endured great pain to bring the child into this world.
“Matha Pitha Guru Deivam” is a very popular adage in the Sanskrit language. The meaning of this adage is the greatest truth, and conveys the order in which one should express reverence. The phrase is a basic tenet of existence from the time of the Vedas and beyond, and represents the hierarchy in which one should respect these entities. Students of higher classes and their mothers participated with great reverence in the Matru Puja.
The puja started at 9.00 a.m. with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Br. Avyayayamrita Chaitanya amidst chants of “Shree Amriteshwaryai Namah”. The Guru Paduka Puja was conducted by offering flowers and chanting the 108 sacred names of Amma. As a part of the ceremony, the children washed the feet of their mothers and then applied chandan and kumkum. The children garlanded their mothers, worshipped them and took their blessings. The mothers, in turn, blessed their children by kissing them on the forehead. This wonderful moment was made even sweeter by the children feeding sweets to their mothers. The faces of the children and their mothers were beaming with joy throughout the puja.
The ceremony was followed by the rendition of Amma’s bhajans by Swamiji, Principal Brni. Rekha, teachers and students. Swamiji’s satsang was aimed mainly at the students. He advised them to value the unconditional love of their parents, help them in whatever way they could and most importantly, care for them. He made them aware of the fact that if they were deprived of something, it may not be intentional, but because of their parents inability to provide it. The students should strive to be truthful to their parents and desire only their blessings. The blessings and happiness that is derived by fulfilling the dreams of one’s parents is unparalleled.
The aarthi was performed by the teachers. The program ended with the chanting of the Shanti Mantra. Everybody offered flowers at the Holy Mother’s feet and received prasad from Swamiji.
